Fabian Hurzeler: Brighton's Young Tactical Mastermind Continuing the Seagulls' Flight
When Roberto de Zerbi departed the Amex Stadium, many wondered if Brighton's impressive trajectory would continue. Enter Fabian Hurzeler, the 32-year-old German manager who has not only filled those big shoes but has added his own imprint on the team's playing style. With Brighton sitting seventh in the Premier League table ahead of their clash with Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa, and an FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest offering a pathway to Wembley, Hurzeler's impact has been immediate and impressive.
The transition from De Zerbi to Hurzeler has been remarkably smooth, largely due to philosophical alignment between the two coaches. "He brought this current energy to the players," Hurzeler acknowledged when discussing his predecessor. "So I don't have to make a complete turnaround of the players because they were familiar with this."
While maintaining continuity, Hurzeler has implemented key principles that have evolved Brighton's approach. One significant tactical adjustment has been overloading opposition defensive lines. "You occupy opponents more if you have more players in the last line," Hurzeler explained. "Then you create more dynamism with deep runs and how many players can create deep runs."
This bold strategy has proven effective, forcing opponents' defensive lines deeper and keeping them pinned back. By increasing numbers inside the penalty area, Brighton's crossers have multiple options, increasing the likelihood of successful connections. Their tactical setup typically involves a winger moving inward to join the attack while one of the two midfielders in their 4-2-3-1 formation pushes forward to provide additional support in the box. This approach was perfectly illustrated in their match-winner against Manchester City, where Matt O'Riley burst past Rico Lewis into the City box to score.
Under De Zerbi, Brighton's style was often compared to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, but Hurzeler has introduced more directness in possession. The average Brighton possession sequence now consists of about 3.5 passes, making them one of the Premier League's more dynamic sides. Time spent during possession sequences has decreased significantly, from 13.44 seconds last season (second-highest in 2023-24) to 10.47 seconds now. This reflects Hurzeler's emphasis on moving the ball quicker and attacking with greater intensity.
Another noticeable difference is in their build-up play. While De Zerbi preferred possession in Brighton's defensive third to draw out the opposition press, Hurzeler's team is more willing to play long balls when necessary to reach the final third, win second balls, and then distribute centrally or wide for cutback opportunities or crosses.
The Seagulls' defensive compactness has them ranking high in several pressing metrics:
- Pressures in final third: 61.3 (2nd in the league)
- Pressed Sequences: 12.8 (2nd)
- Counter pressures: 56.2 (4th)
Hurzeler's tactical flexibility both in and out of possession has proven resilient, with Brighton currently enjoying an unbeaten run of seven matches across all competitions.
Central to Brighton's success under Hurzeler is Jan Paul van Hecke, one of the Premier League's finest ball-playing center-backs. The 24-year-old Dutchman serves as the key figure at the back, breaking opposition lines and finding teammates in space to progress attacks. Beyond his defensive reliability, van Hecke leads the league in progressive carries this season, averaging 10.34 per match. He has also attempted the fifth-highest number of passes from open play in 2024-25 (1,773 in total), underscoring his importance to Hurzeler's system.
Equally crucial to Brighton's midfield is Carlos Baleba, whose unique combination of athleticism and technique makes him a standout performer. The 21-year-old recovers possession more frequently than any other Brighton outfield player, averaging 6.53 possessions won per match. He ranks fifth among his teammates for progressive carries at 10.39 per match, helping the team by disrupting opposition play and advancing the ball into attacking areas. After struggling to establish himself under De Zerbi, Baleba has emerged as the heartbeat of Albion's midfield under Hurzeler.
Brighton's bold ideas and bold players continue to fuel their European aspirations under their young manager. With a potential Wembley final on the horizon, the Seagulls are soaring to new heights under Hurzeler's guidance, confirming once again Brighton's knack for appointing managers who can maintain the club's upward trajectory while adding their own distinctive touch.
